A Scots grandad was left in tears after being given tickets to see his beloved Rangers in Seville - 50 years after watching them lift the European Cup Winners' Cup.
Jimmy Gilbert’s heartfelt reaction was caught on camera after his family surprised him with the “gold dust” briefs at his Neilston home in East Renfrewshire on Sunday night.
The 72-year-old flew out to Malaga from Prestwick Airport on Monday with son-in-law Stephen Birtwhistle and grandson Alfie Lavelle, 11.
The trio will then get a train to Seville on Wednesday to watch Rangers take on Eintracht Frankfurt at the Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan Stadium.
In a bizarre twist of fate, grandad Jimmy, then 22, was in Barcelona when he watched Rangers lift the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 after beating Dynamo Moscow.
He forked out just £45 for the three-day trip and ticket - a fraction of the £750 spent this time around.
With the numbers now reversed, daughter Sharon Gilbert told how the chance to watch his beloved team with his grandson by his side “means the absolute world”.
The mum-of-two said: “My husband Stephen booked tickets to travel to Seville after Rangers beat Borussia Dortmund back in February.
“So they all knew they were going to Spain but my husband luckily got the chance of tickets through somebody he works with.
“But they kept it a secret from my dad until Sunday night. That was the video of him getting the tickets with my son and his grandson Alfie. It’s gone viral.
“The tickets are like gold dust so they’re all over the moon.”
She explained: “My dad was 22 in 1972 when Rangers won the European Cup Winners' Cup - 50 years ago.
“Now, in 2022, he’s 72 so it’s the same numbers but the other way around. It means the absolute world to my dad to make memories with his grandson.
“Taking Alfie to Seville with him is a dream for my dad but to actually be able to go to the game together is amazing.
“He was so overcome with emotion last night. I can’t put into words what it means to him. My dad has been a Rangers supporter since he was a young boy.
“And when Alfie was born, he was always telling him that he had to support Rangers. So that’s why Alfie supports them - because of his papa.”
Primary 7 pupil Alfie is said to be “over the moon” and, unsurprisingly, isn’t too bothered that he’ll be missing his three-day taster session at Castlehead High School.
A video of Jimmy’s speechless reaction has been viewed more than 50,000 times after being shared on Twitter.
It shows the Rangers fan holding a print out of the tickets with a stunned look on his face. He’s then overcome with emotion and begins tearing up before grabbing grandson Alfie for a cuddle.
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